Classic Games in Saudi Arabia are simple games that have been passed down...
Classic Games in Saudi Arabia have been in the minds of our parents and grandparents as the embodiment of the beautiful memories of their childhood. read for more.
Games:
Classic Games in Saudi Arabia are simple games that have been passed down from generation to generation among children, such as "Al-Hajla" (a spinning top), "Taaq Taaq Taaqiya" (a clapping game), and "Al-Ghameeda" (a hide-and-seek game). There are also games like jumping rope, marbles, "Sheriti Harami" (cops and robbers), and "Al-Umm Wal-Dh'ab" (the mother and the wolf). Rooted in the ancient traditions of the Saudi people, these games still exist today, although they have been somewhat forgotten due to modern-day factors such as the use of mass media, computer games, and new sports, which have reduced the possibility of practicing local games to a minimum.
Comparison Between Traditional, Modern, and Classic Games in Saudi Arabia
The lively and vibrant games come to mind, the same games that were enough to engage a little faster to win or eliminate the rest of our friends from the game. They were born in the 1940s and played games like tug of war, jumping rope, and others, and richly. Over the years, in the 1950s and 1960s, games took on a new form, and the era of ball games and low-risk games such as lifting, colorful wolves, irrigation boxes, and thousands of other games began.
Until the end of the Seventies, children were still active and playing street games like middle balls, handmade balls, and small flowers, but with the beginning of the 1980s, striped plastic balls and neighborhood football leagues, airborne wolves, and Atari computer games declined, to the point that in these years we see fewer children playing group games.
The Vintage Games were full of trial and error and taught children how to live. Some of the games available now in the market are only for entertaining children, and some aim to create mental creativity in them, but there are no effective games for developing their emotions, feelings, and religious inclinations.
The most important advantage of Vintage Games is reviving children's creativity. Unlike today's games, which create artificial excitement in children and teenagers, local games properly promote physical and mental activities for children. Previous Vintage Games resemble life itself and are full of trial and error, along with the improvements and challenges that children learn to live with.
Types of Traditional and Classic Games in Saudi Arabia
- Tug of War: The players are divided into two equal teams and face each other on two ends (it's better for the stronger players to be at the front). The middle line of the rope is marked on the ground. Both teams hold the rope and pull it towards themselves upon the signal of the person in charge of the team. In this game, the winning team is the one that pulls the rope in a way that the first person in the opposing team crosses the center line.
- Jump Rope Jump rope: This game is a sport and a form of entertainment that has no age limits. This kind of Classic Games in Saudi Arabia can be for Both children and adults to enjoy engaging in this fun activity. It is also a low-cost sport that can be practiced in small spaces. Learning rope techniques is important to prevent physical injuries. By following proper training, you can play jump rope professionally at home or in a club, just like a professional athlete.
- Al-Barbar or Al-Hajla: Al-Barbar or Al-Hajla is a group game that takes place in the courtyard or outdoors. The principles of this game involve jumping over squares drawn on the ground. Each square has a number, and the first player throws a stone at a number. If they can do it accurately, they will jump over all the squares except the one where the stone was thrown, which is marked on the ground with gypsum or charcoal. The goals of this game include strengthening leg muscles, achieving coordination between hands, feet, and eyes, fostering a spirit of sacrifice, increasing heart rate, and improving blood flow. There is no limit to the number of players, and players of all ages can participate. The necessary equipment includes a smooth stone, some gypsum, and a smooth surface for drawing.
- Taq Taq Taqiyya: This game is one of the popular Classic Games in Saudi Arabia, where the children sit in a circle and close their eyes, while one of them sings "Taq Taq Taqiyya" and places a piece of cloth or a small item behind one of the players. The person who finds it behind them must chase the person who placed the item and so on.
- Hide the Hand Behind In this kind of Vintage Games, the player hides their hand behind their back and places a bead or a piece of paper under one of their fingers. In this game, winning and losing are desired outcomes. One player holds a number of small stones or other small objects in their fist, overlapping them and shaking them between their hands. Then they take them to their back and place the objects in one of their fists. They extend their thumb in front of the second player and say, "Qaws or Zawj" (meaning "bow" or "pair"). The second player voluntarily utters one of the two words, "Qaws" or "Zawj." The first player then opens their fist and counts the number of items in their hand. If it matches the statement of the second player, they are declared the winner, otherwise, they are the loser.
Bending and Jumping over a Person: It is a physical and dynamic game played with three or more players. The game is played by one person placing their hands on their knees and bending over, while the others take turns jumping over them. The varying heights of the players and the difficulty of passing over them provide joyful and entertaining moments for the players.- The Seventh Traditional and Classic Games in Saudi Arabia are based on pebbles, they can be used as Vintage Games. There are different variations, including:
Al-Zaqra: This game requires five circular stones and a number of participants. To start, the first player throws five stones on the ground and selects one stone as a whole. In the first stage, they raise the stone completely and, at the same time, must raise one stone from the ground and hold the entire stone in the air. If they fail to hold the stone they threw in the air, they lose. If the first stage is completed correctly, they move to the second stage. The stone is thrown upward, and the stones on the ground are collected in pairs. In the third stage, the player first collects three stones and then one stone from the ground. In the fourth stage, the player must remove four stones from the ground in one place. If successful, they move on to the next stage, which is separate from these stages. The stage of the bride and scoring goals: In this stage, the player must hop on one foot, touch their middle finger to the ground, and throw a stone in the air. After this stage, the stones must be thrown onto the fingers and counted to determine the end of the game.
Seven Stones: This game requires seven smooth stones and one hand. In this game, the people are divided into two equal groups, and each group chooses one player as their leader. One group is placed at a certain distance from the stacked seven stones, and they take turns hitting the stones with a tennis ball. The second group also waits behind the stones so that the ball thrown by the first team does not collide with the seven stones. They immediately change places with the group, but if the ball hits the stones and they fall, the first group tries to hit the first group with the ball and eliminate them from the game.
- Al-Ghamiyda: It is played by a group of children where one of them has their eyes covered and starts counting, then they search for their friends.
- Tila: This game consists of small colored glass marbles, and there are many of them. Children play this game to collect the largest number of marbles. This game is well-known among children and has been passed down through generations, this is making it one of the most popular Classic Games in Saudi Arabia.
- Kirm: This game is played with 3, 9, or 12 stones. It is a game of intelligence and quick wit. The game of "Kirm" is an ancient and still popular classic game. It consists of a wooden board with the rules of the game drawn on it and four holes in the corners. It also includes white and black playing pieces, as well as a red stone, each with its own value.
After learning about some classic games, it can be said that these games have been passed down through generations, with some changes in names or even chants.
Traditional and Classic Games in Saudi Arabia through Shobbak:
You can now shop for all the accessories of traditional and Classic Games in Saudi Arabia through the extensive Shobbak platform. Everything you need is in one place. Shobbak provides you with a wide range of supplies for Vintage Games, whether they are new or used. All members of the community can make purchases through the Shobbak application or even list items for sale. Additionally, you can browse through many of the exclusive services that Shobbak offers to individuals and institutions.
The Vintage and Classic Games in Saudi Arabia hold a special place in the culture of the country. These games provide entertainment and opportunities for social interaction among individuals of all ages. So, don't hesitate to visit Shobbak to buy the supplies for these Vintage Games.